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UK net-zero 2050 target announced by government

Tanisha Beebee Senior Policy Adviser

After extensive CBI campaigning, government commits to legislate for a UK net-zero greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2050.

12 Jun 2019, 2 min read

On Wednesday 12 June, the Prime Minister announced she would reform legislation in the UK’s Climate Change Act to raise the UK’s emissions reduction targets from 80% to net-zero by 2050. This is a monumental step for climate action and means the UK is now on track to become the first G7 country to legislate for net-zero emissions, with other major economies expected to follow suit.

This is an incredibly significant move, one which the CBI has lobbied for extensively over the last year on behalf of members. Businesses of different sizes, across a range of sectors support net-zero targeting, in line with the advice given from the Committee on Climate Change, as it provides a long-term framework within which energy, transport, housing and other policies can be strengthened and technologies scaled-up.

The CBI’s net-zero campaigning efforts from the past year

  • Responded to the initial consultation on the UK’s zero carbon economy
  • Hosted a series of roundtables with members and the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) specifically on their policy and economic analysis and recommendations for net-zero emissions
  • Provided advise directly to the CCC via on of their three Advisory Groups on the cost-benefits of a UK net-zero economy
  • Met with senior officials in Treasury and BEIS to encourage support
  • Contributed to letters to the Prime Minister and statements to the UK media calling for action

The CBI looks forward to continuing our energy and climate change policy campaigns to progress towards net-zero UK emissions and to accelerate the delivery of the low-carbon economy with the help of our members.

Welcoming the announcement, Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said:

“UK business stands squarely behind the government’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This legislation is the right response to the global climate crisis, and firms are ready to play their part in combating it.

“Climate leadership can drive UK competitiveness and secure long-term prosperity. This legislation must be followed by a commitment to long-term policies that support decarbonisation across the economy.

“Some sectors will need clear pathways to enable investment in low-carbon technologies, and it is vital that there is cross-government coordination on the policies and regulation needed to deliver a clean future.”

To read more about the UK’s net-zero target, click here.